From: "Davis Jensen" <davisjensen1@earthlink.net> Subject: [CR]Suntour front derailleur
>I was looking at the picture of the Suntour "Spirt" front derailleur, and
>it brought back memories of a Suntour I tried on my PX10 in 73ish when the
>Simplex broke. It was a nice enough piece, but the operation was backwards,
>using the spring to push the chain up onto the large ring. Or should I say
>try to push the chain up, as it would fail to shift if any more than a
>trivial amount of force were being applied to the pedals. Downshifted right
>smartly though! Also gave the levers an operational symmetry that appealed
>to me; forward for fast, rearward for slow. Did any other manufacturers use
>this method, and did Suntour abandon it before the end of their days?
The Suntour Compe-V is a nicer version of this style shifter. Found on mid range Raleighs in the mid to late 70's and (labeled Raleigh). Also found badged as Suntour. Look for the two bolt mount rather than the hinged clamp. Properly adjusted, it has no problem shifting from small to large ring.
Pete Geurds
Douglassville, Pa